i8o4 



The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Fig. 34. — The tree sparrow, a seed 

 eater, on an anti-sparrow food shelf 



germinating properties, but the crows will not eat it. A little waste grain 

 scattered about the edge of the field will sometimes preserve all that has 

 been planted. Occasionally there will be found a few crows so wise that 



none of these ruses will keep them from 

 the cornfield, but these birds are so 

 wary that the mere discharge of a gun 

 in their direction is sufficient to keep 

 them from the field for all time. The 

 gun should be reserved for these 

 occasions only, and it should always 

 be remembered that crows are at most 

 times highly beneficial birds. 



Blackbirds are a little more difficult 

 to deal with, but fortunately their 

 depredations in New York State are 

 less common. They attack the ripen- 

 ing com while it is still " in the milk," 

 or the grain after it is in the shock. 

 No very satisfactory way of combat- 

 ing them has yet been discovered except by the noise of a gun. The 

 sound is as effective as the shot in scaring them awa^^ and the fewer 

 that are killed, the bet'er; for, like the crows, they are very beneficial at 

 other times of the year. 



The fruit eaters 



There are but few of the larger birds that do not eat fruit in its season. 

 As it ripens it forms a bounteous food supply, taking the place of the 

 insects, the supply of which has then begun to wane. Most of the larger 

 gleaners, including crows, blackbirds, waxwings, orioles, thrashers, cat- 

 birds, and thrushes, and some of the sparrows; the flicker and the red- 

 headed woodpecker among the borers ; the grouse and the bob white among 

 the scratchers; and even some of the larger flycatchers, such as the king- 

 bird — these turn their attention to the ripening fruits. Fortunately most 

 species confine their attacks to wild fruits, and it is probable that all 

 species prefer the wild varieties to the cultivated fruits when the fonner 

 are available. Unfortunately the wild fruits are seldom, if ever, available 

 about cherry orchards, and, as a result, many complaints are registered 

 against the birds. Proper attention has never been given to the planting 

 of wild fruits about the edges of orchards to lure birds from the more 

 valuable fruit. Where it has been tried it has proved verj^ successful. 

 The fruit tree usually planted is the Russian mulberry, which ripens its 

 fruit at the same time as the early sweet cherry. As the birds prefer 

 its fruit to cherries, it proves an efficient protection. 



